rose_griffes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rose_griffes) wrote2022-01-16 02:44 pm
rose_griffes) wrote2022-01-16 02:44 pm
Entry tags:
Burn, Butcher, BURN!
Season two of The Witcher was entertaining. I wouldn't rate it as highly as season one, but I should point out my long-standing preference for the first books in series, the earliest films, and origin stories in general. Also, timey-wimey stuff is cool, and this season didn't feature that.
Two problem areas with season 2 (for me):
- First, Eskel bringing prostitutes to Kaer Morhen (best believe I googled how to spell that before typing it) could have been a moment to emphasize how he has already been brainjacked to some degree by the other-worldly Leshi. And rather than hand-waving it as no big deal, Vesemir could have confided in Geralt that he was worried about Eskel's behavior. Having a whole group of people brought to a SECRET training place really should have been viewed as a shock to more than just Geralt.
- Next, why were the elves just... not going to fight? Yes, the motivation was stated in the show, but WHAT WERE THEY GONNA DO INSTEAD?! Wait for Nilfgaard to defend them within Cintra? Why weren't the elves fighting before?! As someone who doesn't know the books or video games, I'm confused by this plot point.
Those two problem areas aside, as I mentioned already, I enjoyed the season. And funnily enough, even though I don't view myself as a big fan of Jaskier, the show really did get a fun shift of energy once he showed up. That could have been the writing finally picking up speed for the storylines, though. At any rate: needed more Yennefer. Though she did have a logical story arc, and she looked great (I like having less anachronistic makeup).
Maybe I'm just grumbling a bit about Yen because her story arc, while fitting, was also a bit less... hm. What's the word: maybe organic? Less obviously matched with real-world problems, perhaps.
Ciri got a lot of necessary character focus; all to the good, rounding out our trio of leads.
At any rate, I'm excited about what season three will bring, even though it's going to be a long wait. They haven't even started filming yet!
Roommate F has a Disney+ subscription, so I watched the first episode of Hawkeye. The first word I would choose for episode one is "awkward". Getting all of the pieces in place resulted in a pilot episode with many weird coincidences. But I did enjoy it. Hopefully it will improve as I continue the season. I do like Hailee Steinfeld, which is a plus for the show. The actress who plays her mother was interesting as well. Hopefully she'll have plenty of agency within the story, since she was prominent in the pilot.
Netflix has released a second season of Cheer and I've already devoured two episodes. They're very compelling; kudos to the editors. But also, they've tapped into a rather ideal human interest story: the stakes are high at a personal level, but at a world event level? Inconsequential.
Another enjoyable real-person show on Netflix: School of Chocolate, which is led by Amaury Guichon, who makes those viral videos of mind-blowing sculptures made of chocolate. I like the softness of it: no one is kicked off the show from week to week. Instead, contestants who show less skill in a challenge are given two-on-one lessons with Guichon while the other contestants do a team challenge.
Two problem areas with season 2 (for me):
- First, Eskel bringing prostitutes to Kaer Morhen (best believe I googled how to spell that before typing it) could have been a moment to emphasize how he has already been brainjacked to some degree by the other-worldly Leshi. And rather than hand-waving it as no big deal, Vesemir could have confided in Geralt that he was worried about Eskel's behavior. Having a whole group of people brought to a SECRET training place really should have been viewed as a shock to more than just Geralt.
- Next, why were the elves just... not going to fight? Yes, the motivation was stated in the show, but WHAT WERE THEY GONNA DO INSTEAD?! Wait for Nilfgaard to defend them within Cintra? Why weren't the elves fighting before?! As someone who doesn't know the books or video games, I'm confused by this plot point.
Those two problem areas aside, as I mentioned already, I enjoyed the season. And funnily enough, even though I don't view myself as a big fan of Jaskier, the show really did get a fun shift of energy once he showed up. That could have been the writing finally picking up speed for the storylines, though. At any rate: needed more Yennefer. Though she did have a logical story arc, and she looked great (I like having less anachronistic makeup).
Maybe I'm just grumbling a bit about Yen because her story arc, while fitting, was also a bit less... hm. What's the word: maybe organic? Less obviously matched with real-world problems, perhaps.
Ciri got a lot of necessary character focus; all to the good, rounding out our trio of leads.
At any rate, I'm excited about what season three will bring, even though it's going to be a long wait. They haven't even started filming yet!
Roommate F has a Disney+ subscription, so I watched the first episode of Hawkeye. The first word I would choose for episode one is "awkward". Getting all of the pieces in place resulted in a pilot episode with many weird coincidences. But I did enjoy it. Hopefully it will improve as I continue the season. I do like Hailee Steinfeld, which is a plus for the show. The actress who plays her mother was interesting as well. Hopefully she'll have plenty of agency within the story, since she was prominent in the pilot.
Netflix has released a second season of Cheer and I've already devoured two episodes. They're very compelling; kudos to the editors. But also, they've tapped into a rather ideal human interest story: the stakes are high at a personal level, but at a world event level? Inconsequential.
Another enjoyable real-person show on Netflix: School of Chocolate, which is led by Amaury Guichon, who makes those viral videos of mind-blowing sculptures made of chocolate. I like the softness of it: no one is kicked off the show from week to week. Instead, contestants who show less skill in a challenge are given two-on-one lessons with Guichon while the other contestants do a team challenge.
no subject
also, re: the Witcher, I agree 1000% about Jaskier. I cringe all through his S1 scenes, but literally as soon as Yennefer figured it out and gave that little smile, I felt my heart lift.
I rewatched S1 right before S2, and as best as I can figure out, the elves were all spread out and in hiding, because they'd been conquered everywhere, but REALLY conquered in Cintra. Like, the ex-king dude is literally elf in "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher", and they were all "we need to figure shit out" and then, you know, the northern kingdoms started arresting them, so they HAD to go to Cintra, and then they realized they HAD to fight. Sort of. But yes: kind of a mess. But a believable one? Like, I believe they're very fucked.
no subject
Still a fun show and I like it, but I wish for more.
no subject
I may have to re-watch the first season of The Witcher, since I was hopelessly lost in episode 1 of S2. I can't remember what happened in the first season - it was too long ago. I feel like I saw it ten years ago, when I think it was just 2019?
no subject
The Witcher s2 might be better with a s1 rewatch, but not by much, I'd say.
no subject
Also he gets beaten up a lot.
I don't mind the actor - but I'm also remaining oblivious to his personal life. I don't know why folks hate him and I don't want to know. He's just an actor, and not that prevalent at that, it doesn't matter. I've already had Tom Hiddleston ruined for me by my brother. And sigh, Whedon has been completely ruined. I'm not sure I can watch Buffy again without ...cringing at certain scenes or reading more than I want to into them.
Witcher S2...I may have issues with since my favorite character was Yennifer. I was watching mainly for her. So we'll see. I may wait for the 3rd season to drop before continuing.
no subject
no subject